At the beginning of this month, the U.S. House of Representatives elected a new Speaker. Typically, electing a new Speaker occurs rather quickly, needing only one vote, but this time the situation was different. While Representative Kevin McCarthy (Republican from California) was the early favorite, it took fifteen votes for him to be elected Speaker. This is the first time in 100 years that the election for Speaker took more than one vote.
Read MoreA specific song came to mind when I began reflecting on Micah 6:8. I often find that when I’m searching for the words to express my thoughts and feelings about something, music is my source of guidance.
These words from the opening of the song Spark by The City Harmonic join breath and justice: When I breathe in hope, And breathe in grace, And breathe in God, Then I’ll breathe out peace, Breathe out justice, Breathe out love, Oh, this little light’s gonna shine With just a spark light a fire…
Read MoreNelly Chiboi grew up in Mogotio, Kenya in an impoverished village. “I know the pain of poverty,” says Cheboi, now 29. “I never forgot what it was like with my stomach churning because of hunger at night.” Her mom ensured that despite their poverty Nelly received an education. Nelly worked hard in school and received a full scholarship to attend college. She graduated from the ELCA’s Augustana College in 2012.
Read MoreThe 40 days of Lent are a season to reflect and remember, to look forward and ahead. We invite you to continue your work by connecting your congregation to the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22.
To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources from ELCA World Hunger today.
Read MoreDuring the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field after making a tackle. Medical personnel quickly rushed on field to administer CPR. Both Hamlin’s teammates and opponents were visibly upset as they looked on: some with tears in their eyes, others kneeling to pray.
Read MoreThey were prodded by a desire to know. The magi who journeyed to baby Jesus were likely some of the only people who noticed this bright new star in the sky, and they took off with excitement and energy even still.
This past Sunday, we did Lectio Divina on the story of the magi. I couldn’t help but reflect on the virtue of curiosity.
Read MoreThere is no doubt that digital platforms allow individuals with similar interests to find one another, help family and friends to share memories and stories, and connect individuals who might otherwise be isolated.
In many cases, life in the digital world is viewed through a filter which either crafts a perfect online image—free from conflict, sadness, or imperfection— or automatically “perfects” the appearance of the individuals or places in the picture.
Read MoreThis Christmas, we look back on the five years of Advent hymns with LWF member churches and country programs. Since 2018, the Advent hymns were well received worldwide and have been a way of nurturing connection and showing solidarity through faith and hope. For some, the hymns have become a way to mark each day in Advent with family and congregations. The hymns allow us to share in the many joyful expressions of worship.
Read MoreThe Church of Lippe (Lutheran Section) sings Hört der engel helle lieder as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land sings Come All Ye' Faithful as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) sings Omunene Gwomu Sioni as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia sings Gereja bagai bahtera as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic sings A Dou Na I Jesus Christ as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Mexican Lutheran Church sings The Magnificat - Taize as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Chile sings El Burrito Sabanero as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar sings O' Come All Ye' Faithful as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine sings Nova radist stala, yaka ne buvala as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church of Rwanda sings Uruwera as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Angola sings Maranata as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Church of the River Plate (Argentina) sings Noche de Paz as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s hymns of Advent & Christmas.
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